Solved How to delete an undeletable file?

NormAtHome · Jun 25, 2024

My computer is running Windows 11 23H2 and I've got a file created by 7Zip located in C:\Temp (my C: drive is a Samsung 990 Pro SSD) where 7Zip crashed during the process of zipping files and now that file appears to be unable to be deleted. With Explorer run as administrator the file appears in the C:\Temp directory however when I attempt to delete it I get the message "Could not find this item" and "This is no longer located in C:\Temp. Verify the items location and try again". I've tried starting in safe mode with the same results, the file appears in File Explorer or in a command prompt using a dir command but attempts to delete it always come back with "The file is no longer located in etc etc". I've tried running "chkdsk /f" on my C: drive and then retrying both safe mode and normal startup and I can't delete that file (it's the only file in the directory) and I can't delete or rename the C:\Temp directory itself so how can I fix this problem?

Scannerman · Jun 25, 2024

Try this first.

NormAtHome · Jun 25, 2024

Scannerman said:
Try this first.

Thanks so much, that did delete the directory and the offending file so I just recreated the directory and it's all good

Scannerman · Jun 25, 2024

Yeah, I've had a few of those in my day. They can be particularly annoying. Glad I could be of some help. We can mark this one *solved*.

XxXxX · Jun 25, 2024

that is a very good how-to video and i most certainly like the parting remark about 'music' .. that did make me chuckle ..

thank you i have bookmarked that for future reference. cheers Steve ..

Scannerman · Jun 25, 2024

Ghot said:
To delete undelete-able files
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
And to run where the brave dare not go

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

I'll settle for a cup of coffee

NormanF · Jun 25, 2024

Unlocker. It will delete a locked file immediately or upon reboot.

larc919 · Jun 25, 2024

I've recently been getting a few read-only folders in Windows\Temp with no owner showing. The only way I've been able to delete them is by first taking ownership of Windows\Temp and enabling full control, then taking ownership of each folder, then the folder inside that folder, and enabling inheritance. The method shown in the YouTube video results in Access is Denied.

Ghot · Jun 25, 2024

larc919 said:
I've recently been getting a few read-only folders in Windows\Temp with no owner showing. The only way I've been able to delete them is by first taking ownership of Windows\Temp and enabling full control, then taking ownership of each folder, then the folder inside that folder, and enabling inheritance. The method shown in the YouTube video results in Access is Denied.

I would use this method...

Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to add Take Ownership to the context menu of all files, folders, and drives for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. This will allow you to be able to instantly take ownership of a file, folder (and all contents), or drive (and all contents) by changing the...

www.elevenforum.com

larc919 · Wednesday at 12:40 AM

Ghot said:
I would use this method...

Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to add Take Ownership to the context menu of all files, folders, and drives for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. This will allow you to be able to instantly take ownership of a file, folder (and all contents), or drive (and all contents) by changing the...

www.elevenforum.com

Many thanks, @Ghot. That works like a charm.

Ghot · Wednesday at 12:45 AM

larc919 said:
Many thanks, @Ghot. That works like a charm.

Yeah, I think it's just a whole lot easier.
The only hard part is NOT getting carried away with it.

Sephiroth878 · Wednesday at 11:43 AM

I prefer IOBit Unlocker. It's free and hasnt caused me any problems as of yet. Been using it since windows XP back in 2006

erpster4 · Saturday at 4:17 PM

or this Unlocker tool (developed by someone else, not IOBit)

NormanF · Saturday at 6:21 PM

erpster4 said:
or this Unlocker tool (developed by someone else, not IOBit)

That's the one I have installed. It will delete an undeletable file either immediately or if its in use, upon reboot.

Spartan · Sunday at 4:20 PM

NormAtHome said:
My computer is running Windows 11 23H2 and I've got a file created by 7Zip located in C:\Temp (my C: drive is a Samsung 990 Pro SSD) where 7Zip crashed during the process of zipping files and now that file appears to be unable to be deleted. With Explorer run as administrator the file appears in the C:\Temp directory however when I attempt to delete it I get the message "Could not find this item" and "This is no longer located in C:\Temp. Verify the items location and try again". I've tried starting in safe mode with the same results, the file appears in File Explorer or in a command prompt using a dir command but attempts to delete it always come back with "The file is no longer located in etc etc". I've tried running "chkdsk /f" on my C: drive and then retrying both safe mode and normal startup and I can't delete that file (it's the only file in the directory) and I can't delete or rename the C:\Temp directory itself so how can I fix this problem?

Unlocker works but not always, for stubborn files, I use EMCO UnLock IT which is free, works every single time!